Singing Guide: Black Oak Arkansas
Vocal technique, exercises, tips and relevant resources
Black Oak Arkansas is a Southern rock band known for its energetic and bluesy sound, fronted by the dynamic Jim "Dandy" Mangrum.
To sing like Jim Dandy, you will need to channel his raw, powerful voice and his blues-infused style.
One of Jim Dandy's signature techniques is his gritty yet soulful vocal tone. To achieve this, you'll want to practice singing from your diaphragm, which will help you project your voice with more power and intensity. You can also experiment with adding a bit of growl or raspiness to your voice to give it that gritty edge.
Another key aspect of Jim Dandy's singing style is his use of vibrato. Vibrato is the subtle oscillation of pitch that can add depth and emotion to your singing. While some singers use a fast, fluttering vibrato, Jim Dandy's vibrato is slow and deliberate, with a strong on/off switch. To practice your vibrato, try using Singing Carrots' "Singing with Vibrato" exercise in conjunction with Jim Dandy's signature song "Jim Dandy to the Rescue".
When it comes to choosing songs to showcase Jim Dandy's vocal style, several stand out. "Jim Dandy to the Rescue" is of course a must. Similarly, "Hot and Nasty" is another classic that shows off his gravelly range. Other songs that feature Jim Dandy's bluesy style include "Lord Have Mercy on My Soul," "When Electricity Came to Arkansas," and "Street Party."
For more guidance on how to improve your singing, check out Singing Carrots' educational singing course. And be sure to explore our vocal range test, vocal pitch monitor, pitch accuracy test, and song search capabilities to help you zero in on your individual strengths and weaknesses as a singer.